Program Overview

University Program Information

The university offers a range of programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education options.

Academic Programs

• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate programs
• Continuing education (SUTD Academy)
• 42 Singapore

Pillars, Clusters, and Programmes

The university is organized into several pillars, clusters, and programs, including:

• ASD: Architecture and Sustainable Design
• DAI: Design and Artificial Intelligence
• EPD: Engineering Product Development
• ESD: Engineering Systems and Design
• HASS: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
• ISTD: Information Systems Technology and Design
• SMT: Science, Mathematics and Technology

Course Information

30.108 Material Science

The course covers the fundamentals of structure and energetics that underpin materials science.

• Structure descriptors for crystalline and non-crystalline states
• The relationship between structure, processing, performance, and properties of materials
• Materials selection for sustainable product design and to meet engineering requirements

Course Objectives

The objective of this course is to learn about the fundamentals of structure and energetics that underpin materials science.

• Students will have a basic understanding of materials structure, how it is influenced by the interatomic bonding and processing parameters, and how materials properties are determined by the structure
• Students will learn about metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites
• Students will learn how to describe structure of materials using structural descriptors and understand the difference between gasses, liquids, amorphous, and crystalline solids

Course Outcomes

• Define the difference between gasses, liquids, and solids
• Explain the difference between amorphous and crystalline solids
• Demonstrate ability to describe crystalline structure, define Miller indices, theoretical density, and describe non-crystalline behavior
• Describe different types of defects in solids and predict mechanical properties depending on the microstructure (type and density of defects)

Grading

• 1 mid-term (1h; 20% of final grade)
• 1 final (2h; 40% of final grade)
• Problem sets (20% of final grade)
• Projects (20% of final grade)

Prerequisite

• 30.001 Structures and Materials

Policies

• All assignments must be turned in on time
• Problem sets are posted and handed out 2 weeks in advance of due date
• Rigorous quantitative approaches are encouraged; expect to spend a few hours to complete
• Work may be graded at the instructor's option on a point scale or excellent, good, fair scale

Reading and Preparation

In order to gain greater benefit from the lectures, students should complete the assigned reading before coming to class.

• Even a superficial first reading the night before the class period will improve comprehension and retention of the material covered in class
• Students will be tested on assigned reading material that may not be covered during meeting times

Text and References

• WF Smith, J Hashemi, Foundations of Materials Science and Engineering, 5th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2010
• WD Callister, DG Rethwisch, Materials Science and Engineering, 9th edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2015
• MF Ashby, Materials and the Environment: Eco-informed Material Choice, 2nd edition, Elsevier, 2013
• MF Ashby, K Johnson, Materials and Design: The Art and Science of Material Selection in Product Design, 2nd edition, 2014

Course Instructor

• Tan Mei Chee

Program Tags

• Term 6
• Core Elective
• EPD